The US Embassy in Ghana is boosting up its visa verification processes in response to the Trump administration’s extensive new standards, notably for students, while also addressing ongoing concerns about application success rates, visa fixers, and social media monitoring.
Mr. Elliot Fertik, Consul General of the US Embassy in Ghana, shared critical insights with Joy FM’s Super Morning Show today, Monday, June 23, explaining new regulations and clarifying long-standing procedures for Ghanaian visa applicants that could improve application success.
Data from 2024 shows a nearly 60% success rate, with costs from rejected applications totalling more than $6.6 million.
While the US Department of State does not provide precise denial rates for all visa classes, the B1/B2 (tourist/business) and F1 (student) visas are known to have significant refusal rates.
The Consul General’s extensive explanations are intended to demystify the US visa application process for Ghanaians, encouraging adherence to rules while protecting applicants from unscrupulous practices.
Below are some things we learnt from Mr. Fertik.
- Improved social media vetting for student visas
The US Embassy is now performing “enhanced vetting of the social media and online presence of all student applicants” under a new policy.
This means that applicants must make their social media profiles public before their interview.
Mr. Fertik further explained: “We reserve the right to engage in social media vetting for any visa applicant; however, under the current administration, we are focussing in particular on social media vetting for students.”
- The purpose of social media scrutiny
The increased social media screenings are intended to provide a holistic view of applicants. Mr. Fertik explained, “When we assess a person’s eligibility for a visa, we look at the big picture. We consider what they provide to us, but we also check online, where there may be material that is relevant to our decision.”
This verification helps ensure that candidates meet visa requirements and have no prohibitive background issues, such as a criminal history.
He stated that these measures are “not aimed at the vast majority of Ghanaians who want to peacefully obey the law,” but rather at a “certain minority who do not follow the rules or are otherwise ineligible for a visa.”
- The impact of “unfavourable” social media remarks
When asked if previous comments considered unfriendly to the United States could harm an application, Mr. Fertik replied, “It could.”
He stressed that “every case is unique,” and that while some factors, such as a criminal record, are “deal breakers,” the embassy evaluates “the entire picture.”
He emphasised that for people who desire to follow the law, this vetting “will not be a problem”.
He also stated that this is not about “limiting free speech,” but about “determining their eligibility for the visa and whether or not they qualify.”
- Serious consequences for overstaying visas
Overstaying a visa or breaking its rules has serious implications.
Mr. Fertik said such conduct “could impact their future eligibility for a visa, it could incur a penalty of not being able to enter the United States for a certain period of time up to and including life and they could even be subject to civil or criminal prosecution if they’ve engaged in criminal activity or fraud.”
He added, perhaps most importantly, that such activities “make it harder for ordinary law-abiding Ghanaians to get visas in the future.”
- Avoid visa consultants and “fixers”
Mr. Fertik strongly recommended against using visa consultants or “fixers” who provide special favours or guarantee visas for a charge.
He insisted, “They are lying; they are ripping you off.”
He mentioned countless “sad stories” of applicants who lost thousands of dollars without receiving a visa.
He also advised against those stating that visas can be issued by mail without an interview (unless an official waiver process is involved).
The embassy’s website outlines the usual application process and provides contact information for assistance.
- The value of the interview substance, not just paperwork.
Applicants preparing for interviews should focus on properly communicating their plans.
“During most interviews, they are short and the officer makes their decision based on what you say during the interviews, not whatever documents you bring,” Mr. Fertik said.
Tourist visa applications may include enquiries about work, travel history outside of Ghana, and the purpose of the visit.
Student applicants whose education “is not cheap in the United States” must be prepared to outline their study intentions and how they intend to fund their education.
- There are no country-specific visa quotas or rejection procedures.
Mr. Fertik clearly refuted claims that high denial rates are part of a premeditated strategy or “scheme” to refuse Ghanaians visas.
“Each visa application is decided individually,” he explained.
“There are no quotas; no one decides who gets a visa and who doesn’t. It is based on the case’s particular merits.
He admitted that “many cases are denied, but there are also plenty that are granted.”
- Increased demand for visa appointments
According to Mr. Fertik, the difficulty in arranging interview dates is mostly due to “very high demand”.
He stated that the number of people who paid the visa application fee “tripled between 2019 and 2023”.
This spike implies that, despite its best efforts, the embassy “will not be able to interview everyone who wants a visa interview.”
His recommendation is to “plan ahead, do it as far in advance as possible.”
- The legality of upfront visa application expenses
Mr. Fertik stated that the necessity to pay the visa application cost before scheduling an appointment is imposed by US law.
“Under US law, the American government has to collect the cost of processing a visa application in each case,” he told me.
“Whether or not it is granted or denied, the American government still incurs the cost of processing the visa application.”
- Warning of “slot blocking” agents
Mr. Fertik addressed allegations that agents were blocking visa appointment slots and selling them.
He issued a warning: “The person who’s making you those promises is probably lying… no one has access to the visa appointment calendar on any sort of special basis.”
He issued a strong warning against indulging in fraud, stating that “there have been cases even in the past month where visa applicants and visa fixers have been arrested and sent to court.”
He ended with a strong message for such perpetrators:
“We are looking for you, we are hunting you, and we are working with the Ghanaian police to make sure that you cannot rip off visa applicants here.”
